Page 90 of A Lick of Flame

“Tell me,” she insists; her big blue eyes bore into mine.

“I don’t get to decide on who I wed.” I feel a weight on my shoulders.

“That doesn’t make any sense. Who decides for you?” she asks.

“Delphine.”

She frowns. “Your dragon? Your dragon picks your wife?” She sounds shocked, and I can’t say that I blame her.

31

Maya

For a moment there, it felt like I was about to get everything I ever dreamed of. A man to love and a future so bright.

It was never going to be easy. I mean, finding the Lost Kings and overthrowing an evil dictator was never going to be easy, but this… This is something else.

“Why? How? I don’t understand.” I pull up my dress, getting it back into place.

“I know it’s strange. It’s how it is with my people. There are not many fae bonded to dragons. Those of us who are need approval from our beasts.”

“You said that only the strongest of your kind can handle it.”

“Exactly. A tether is a big deal. It’s a strong, lifelong connection with another sentient being. It, therefore, makes sense that my beast would have a say. It is tradition for a king to present a choice of brides to his dragon. Usually, four or five women from good, upstanding fae households.”

My heart sinks further, and ice hits my veins. “What?” My eyes go wide. “Four or five? And then fae women? Last time I checked, I was human. What if Delphine picks someone else? In fact, she more than likely will pick someone else. I don’t think I like this very much, Orion.” That would be a gross understatement. “In fact, I won’t hear of it. Of any of it. No!”

Orion laughs, and I feel my face go red. I’m going to smack him upside the head if he isn’t careful. “This really isn’t funny.”

“No, you’re right, it isn’t. I’m laughing because I don’t plan on following tradition. I plan on presenting you to Delphine and only you, love.” He kisses me, his eyes filled with concern when he pulls back. “Delphine is not my biggest fan right now, so I am not sure that she would accept you. On top of that, yes, you are human, and it could count against you. I don’t know if it would work, but we have to try.”

“What happens if she accepts me?” I need to think positively about this.

“You would be partially bonded with Delphine, too. Not as deeply as me, but it would be there. It is a connection we would share. The two of us would be tethered, too…through my dragon. It’s never been done with a human before. I’m not sure it’s even possible.” His throat works.

“I’m too weak.” My eyes go blurry with unshed tears, but I hold them back. “I’ve never been sad about being human before.”

“And you shouldn’t start now.” He trails a finger over my ears. “You are perfect as you are. Besides, it isn’t a direct one-to-one bond, so it doesn’t work the same as it did with Raila. There is a story told in one of the history books from the great library of a king falling in love with an emptyfae woman. He presented her to his dragon.”

“And?” I say when Orion smiles instead of telling me the rest.

“Let’s just say they had eight children.”

“Eight.” I laugh. “Kakara certainly blessed that union.”

“She did indeed.” Orion smiles broadly, his green eyes glinting in the sun. “If it worked out for them, it should work for us, too.” He kisses me. It’s soft and tentative and sweet. It holds so much promise that my heart wants to burst from my chest.

“What now?” I ask as we pull apart.

He grins. “Always on the move, Maya. Right now, we relax, and we enjoy the day…that’s what, and then we will journey back to the Forgotten Caves tomorrow, back to Delphine and Raila.”

Raila. I feel both excitement at seeing the little one again and sadness that we are no longer tethered. “Where you’ll present me to your dragon?” I say.

“Yes.” He nods. “If she accepts you, you’ll get a smaller version of my marking.” He looks over his shoulder at the flames on his back. “And we will be as good as wed.” He squeezes my hip in his big hand. “Although I am sure you will want a proper ceremony.”

I shake my head. “None of that is important, Orion. It’s how we feel in here that counts.” I touch his chest again.

He puts his hand over mine. “Yes, it is.”

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